Hostile Work Environment

I am thinking of going to school for a surgical tech but I have heard that there are some real issues with the staff not treating the Surgical Techs very well. Is this just during the clinical stage? Or maybe just in a hospital setting. Also how difficult is it to get into a non hospital position?

Just recently one of the nurses I work with just got a position in the OR as Scrub Tech and she said she witnessed one of the surgeons whirl a scalpel at her. Wow, nearly missing her. He got written up for it.

MichelleCST said: Just recently one of the nurses I work with just got a position in the OR as Scrub Tech and she said she witnessed one of the surgeons whirl a scalpel at her. Wow, nearly missing her. He got written up for it.

sorry not her, another Scrub tech. but still, gee

Thank you so much for your feed back I am not sure if I am willing to work in such an environment.

That is crazy I have never heard of such a thing. Im not saying it did not happen, just hard to believe. As far as work enviorment. It is not hostile. Most surgeons actually value a CST's input. Ask any surgeon. Sometimes they are even open to suggestions. Such as using suture, some new surgeons straight out of residency may not be familiar with the different suture, as there are LOTS, you can usually suggest a certain type.

Sure there are cons, you will find a RN or two that will say "oh there just a scrub tech." But that view is rapidly changing as many schools, like mine, require you pass CAAHEP standards & pass your certification exam. There are many Tech scrubs that are not certified.

I'm not going to blow sunshine up yer backside. The OR is a very aggressive environment, especially for students. You have to understand that as a student you will make mistakes and when you make a mistake in the OR it isn't like putting cheese on a hamburger at a fast food restaurant. There are no do overs in the OR. You are dealing with living human beings, some mistakes cost in human life, some times they result in a hideous infection. Students are notorious for their ability to contaminate the surgical field. When you have to tear down an entire set up, you will understand the frustration of scrubs and why we are so protective of our back tables and mayo stand. I don't care about a student's hurt feelings when my patient's life and health is on the line. I can apologize to a student later for my tone if I get snippy, but I can't undo damage to my patient because I was too worried about the student's feelings to tell them to back away from the field.

If you want a career in the surgical field, I suggest that you get some thick skin because there will be times that you will need it to be as thick as Rhino hide. Surgeons throw temper tantrums, OR nurses may be condescending at times. That isn't the norm from my work experience but I have seen it happen first hand and it's never pleasant. What I can say, is that the OR staff is like family and they are tighter than another other group of people that I've ever worked with. The OR is the coolest place to work hands down.

AshClarke in Jacksonville, Florida said: That is crazy I have never heard of such a thing. Im not saying it did not happen, just hard to believe. As far as work enviorment. It is not hostile. Most surgeons actually value a CST's input. Ask any surgeon. Sometimes they are even open to suggestions. Such as using suture, some new surgeons straight out of residency may not be familiar with the different suture, as there are LOTS, you can usually suggest a certain type.

Sure there are cons, you will find a RN or two that will say "oh there just a scrub tech." But that view is rapidly changing as many schools, like mine, require you pass CAAHEP standards & pass your certification exam. There are many Tech scrubs that are not certified.

Hello ash my name is kesha I live In New Jersey an I've worked in the or for 5 years it is very common for surgens to through instruments at the staff("IT HAS NEVER HAPPEN TO ME" I WISH)however it is very common from my experience expecially in surburban area hospitals. Also it is not mandatory that you be certified in some states Here in NJ that did not apply until I believe January 2004 However I'm not certified and can Dance circles around a BSN,RN with little to moderate experience I have extensive instensive instrumentation knowledge and various specialities under my belt from the various large hospitals I've worked in.

Jenifer E in Fredericksburg, Virginia said: I'm not going to blow sunshine up yer backside. The OR is a very aggressive environment, especially for students. You have to understand that as a student you will make mistakes and when you make a mistake in the OR it isn't like putting cheese on a hamburger at a fast food restaurant. There are no do overs in the OR. You are dealing with living human beings, some mistakes cost in human life, some times they result in a hideous infection. Students are notorious for their ability to contaminate the surgical field. When you have to tear down an entire set up, you will understand the frustration of scrubs and why we are so protective of our back tables and mayo stand. I don't care about a student's hurt feelings when my patient's life and health is on the line. I can apologize to a student later for my tone if I get snippy, but I can't undo damage to my patient because I was too worried about the student's feelings to tell them to back away from the field.

If you want a career in the surgical field, I suggest that you get some thick skin because there will be times that you will need it to be as thick as Rhino hide. Surgeons throw temper tantrums, OR nurses may be condescending at times. That isn't the norm from my work experience but I have seen it happen first hand and it's never pleasant. What I can say, is that the OR staff is like family and they are tighter than another other group of people that I've ever worked with. The OR is the coolest place to work hands down.

Hello Jen I Do agree with what you saying however I do think that some doctors through their weight around, when you work In trauma you have to expect the unexpectant,Also respect is do at all times. I have wittnesed very Disrespectful situations.I myself as a surg tech and now as a RN " DO NOT TOLERATE DISRESPECT UNDER NO CIRCURMSTANCE IT'S RUDE" Some employees in the OR is intimidated to speak out against this accepted behavior.

I agree with many of the things said on here. Working in the OR takes a very stong personality with a whole lot of thick skin. It is often said we tend to "eat our own" in surgery and it's pretty true. I have been in the OR as a CST for 20 years and have heard and seen it all on the abuse scale and mostly it comes from nurses. When I started in the OR, there was a massive shortage of RN's and a few hospitals were looking at having techs circulate but AORN had a fit about it and the hospitals caved and since then, you get a lot attitude from the older nurses who look down on us as "just techs." I could have gone to nursing school but I like scrubbing and 1st assisting and dont want to be a well paid gopher/ butt wiper which is what an RN in the OR really is.

It really depends what hospital/center/office you are at. while i was at a hospital i got alot of attidude from the RN's. But my surgeons have always told me that they respect us technologists more b/c we do more in the OR! WE are their right hand man. Kill everyone with kindness, it works!

Im at a plastics office now and its a better atmosphere. NO DRAMA. NO GOSSIP. ALOT OF RESPECT

knr8035 in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: I am thinking of going to school for a surgical tech but I have heard that there are some real issues with the staff not treating the Surgical Techs very well. Is this just during the clinical stage? Or maybe just in a hospital setting. Also how difficult is it to get into a non hospital position?

Your clinical phase can be difficult. Keep in mind that the O.R. staff is only looking out for the patient. At first they may seem abnormally rude but you must prove to the staff that you can be trusted, and that takes time. Now after you graduate I think R.N's and Surgical Techs get along great( At this hospital anyway). We each have a role to play, and equally respect one anothers position. If a RN feels that they are better than you obviously they are working in the wrong career field. We all choose our career path and being a sugical tech is not a bad thing. We are well educated. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.
Go for it and just do your best.

Kesha in Newark, New Jersey said: Hello Jen I Do agree with what you saying however I do think that some doctors through their weight around, when you work In trauma you have to expect the unexpectant,Also respect is do at all times. I have wittnesed very Disrespectful situations.I myself as a surg tech and now as a RN " DO NOT TOLERATE DISRESPECT UNDER NO CIRCURMSTANCE IT'S RUDE" Some employees in the OR is intimidated to speak out against this accepted behavior.

I also strongly agree. I will not tolerate being disrespected in any situation. we all have a job to do. Some dr's get off on the power trips so stand up for yourself and they will respect you for it!

Hi Byron sorry it took me so long to reply just out of curiosty how is the job market in ALtoona for surg techs and the salary range?

I am a surgical Tech. Sometimes you will get the occasion surgeon that is a jerk. But most of the surgeons respect Techs. They know and understand our job and respect the ones that are good at it. The problems is some OR's it is the RN's that you will have a problem with. They like to through their weight around. And anytime you work with groups of women, there will always be a few catty ones. Just try to do your job, try not to get involved with petty drama and you should be fine.

I think she is worried about getting treated just like you described you treat other people in the OR............not well.

kesha in Newark, New Jersey said: Hi Byron sorry it took me so long to reply just out of curiosty how is the job market in ALtoona for surg techs and the salary range?

The Job market here is great. Altoona regional is always looking for Tech's. We start out around $14.50 and after about 5 years make close to $20 an hour. Hope that helps

I am a student currently in my clinical rotation at a hospital. Yeah it is difficult. One reason being you are a student and as far as they know you may not know anything. The hosptital I am at had a bad previous student experience and I had to prove myself 10X's over. Yeah I am nervous because I am unsure of how to react in certain situations. I am with a RNFA who can be annoyingly confusing asking for one thing as soon as you go to hand it off he asks for something else and then something else and its all asap and he never takes any of it half the time. Its not the asking for things but he is worse than the surgeons Ive been working with. Only one surgeon ive had a problem with he just verbally abuses people and most don't even like him. I am learning about myself and how to deal with these types of situations. I am in my last semester of school and clinicals. HOPEING TO BE WORKING SOON AFTER! I wish all good luck, its a great career to get into. Just hang in there !

I have been working as a surgical tech for five years and no longer wish to do so because of the rigid atmosphere in surgery. In my opinion...run people...run. They will never tell you or show you the real side of things until you get out of school. Then it's too late. Some places are pleasant, however it's a small amount. The pay isn't good for the amount of stress involved. It's sad when you can get paid more as a waitress than working where they operate on humans. I've met some really friendly docs, but most don't give a crap who you are...you're just at their mercy. And, if they get abusive (and I mean verbally, emotionally, and sometimes physically), the hospital rarely does much about it because the docs bring in the revenue for the hospital. You are ALWAYS in the wrong. You get paid $13-$20/hr. and the docs get six figures. You are a "nobody" in the hospitals eyes. Go into business or some profession that gives you tons of options! That's what I would do.

I am really sorry that your personal experience has been this sucktacular. A good OR won't allow that type of behavior to continue on a regular basis. There is a reason why doctors get a six figure salary, they went to medical school, they went through residency, they went through all of that and ultimately they are the ones who are personally responsible for a patient's care. Maybe, I'm the exception to the rule, but I can understand why a surgeon gets PISSED the majority of the time. Usually it is due to untrained, inexperienced staff or staff that don't give a shyte about what they are doing to do what is best for the patient.

If you want to make more money, then go back to school and get a degree in something that will earn you more money. I have never felt like a nobody, I have always felt that I get the respect that I deserve. Then again I also research a procedure that I might be unfamiliar with and do whatever I can to anticipate the surgeon's needs and what is best for the patient. Sometimes it is the 'little' things that can make a world of difference in how a case or a day goes. Everyone has craptastic days, but if you are having more of those days than good days then I agree. It is time for the tech to move on and find something that is more rewarding.

yeah, thanks for your input. everywhere is different. everyone is different. i just don't agree with some aspects of the field. good for you if you do.